University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) and National Geographic Learning together hosted the inspirational educational conference “Empowering Minds”. Held on campus, in the presence of Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of UDST and Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs, the event was a vibrant platform for discussing several topics, notably the importance of creativity in employability and integrating sustainable practices in education. The entire UDST community was welcome to attend the conference, as well as schools and representatives from major educational institutions in Qatar.
The event was attended by Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of UDST, who gave an enthusiastic welcome address, as well as guest speaker John Hughes, award-winning ELT author; Charlotte Ellis, Head of Strategic and Digital Marketing for National Geographic Learning; Andrés Ruzo, a geothermal scientist and educator; and Bader Alamari, a Youth Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Generation (SDGeneration) network and current UDST student.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Salem Al-Naemi said, “Empowering Minds shows that we are on the right track towards a future where both creative thinking and sustainability are education fundamentals. It is exciting, and an honor, to collaborate with National Geographic Learning on an initiative like this. It also reflects the commitment of both organizations to nurture environmentally conscious thinkers – our teachers and our learners – and to encourage adaptive, original problem solving in our approaches to education. The conference not only informed, but inspired change.”
The agenda of "Empowering Minds" was designed to balance informational sessions with interactive discussions to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of each topic. Creativity as a skill for employability in the 21st century was the core theme, and a presentation of innovative teaching strategies and practical approaches to developing the skill offered valuable insights for educators and students alike. The conference also addressed the importance of sustainability in education, and demonstrated ways to integrate sustainable practices into the curriculum.
John Hughes presented "Seven Steps Towards Creative Thinking”, with enlightening insights on enhancing creativity in language learning and its crucial role in career development. Charlotte Ellis conducted a session on "Sustainability in Education – The What, The Why, and The How," providing a comprehensive overview of integrating sustainability into educational curriculums. Andrés Ruzo discussed the intersection of conservation, exploration, and career choices in his talk "Your World, Your Change: Impact Mapping to Shape Your Future."
Bader Alamari, a student ambassador and firm sustainability advocate, explored the role of youth in sustainability in Qatar, highlighting the importance of student involvement in environmental initiatives.
“Empowering Minds” marks UDST’s ongoing commitment to fostering a generation of innovative and environmentally conscious leaders. The overwhelming support from attendees is a testament to the event's impact and anticipation for future collaborations.
